David Whynot | Photo courtesy of West Michigan Works!
After more than three decades of serving his country, David Whynot’s retirement from the Michigan Air National Guard did not end his commitment to helping others.
Throughout his 34-year military career, Whynot held leadership positions focused on human resources, recruiting, retention and personnel management. When he retired as a chief master sergeant in March 2025, he hoped to find a new career that would allow him to put his experience to work supporting fellow veterans.
However, finding the right opportunity proved more challenging than he anticipated. Despite decades of leadership experience, Whynot struggled to find civilian positions that matched his skills and passion for helping fellow veterans. As he navigated the transition from military service to civilian employment, he turned to West Michigan Works! for assistance.
Whynot first connected with West Michigan Works! in April 2025 during a Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment orientation at the Muskegon Service Center.
During the orientation, a career coach introduced him to a potential Veterans’ Career Advisor opportunity with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). As his job search progressed, another career coach shared the official job posting and application information.
Whynot also received individualized career coaching, resume development assistance and guidance on translating his military experience into civilian qualifications. With support from the West Michigan Works! team, he developed targeted application materials, identified employment opportunities and learned how to leverage the State of Michigan’s Veterans’ Preference Program.
With renewed confidence, Whynot applied for several government positions, including the LEO Veterans’ Career Advisor position, which stood out to him as an ideal fit for his experience and interests.
In July, about three months after first connecting with West Michigan Works!, Whynot began his new career as a Veterans’ Career Advisor with LEO at the same Muskegon Service Center where he received assistance with his own job search. The position gives him the opportunity to continue serving the veteran community while drawing on the leadership and personnel management experience he developed throughout his military career.
“I was honored to be selected,” Whynot said. “Assisting veterans is highly valued among many who retire from military service and I am deeply grateful to be given the opportunity to continue serving veterans using the skills I developed over my military career.”
In his new role, Whynot helps veterans identify career opportunities, overcome employment barriers and access resources that support long-term success. Having recently navigated his own transition from military service, Whynot brings firsthand experience and a personal understanding of the challenges veterans may encounter when pursuing civilian careers.
Whynot’s career transition demonstrates how workforce development services can help experienced professionals identify new opportunities and successfully navigate career changes. He now draws on his own experience and the resources that supported his job search to help fellow veterans pursue their next career opportunities.
“Veterans should remember that employers are looking for the exact skills the military has trained them to have,” Whynot said. “From punctuality and following instructions to leadership skills and staying cool under pressure, veterans already possess these traits as part of their foundation. Veterans should always highlight these strengths on their resumes and during the interview process.”
West Michigan Works! provides career coaching, job search assistance, training resources and connections to employment opportunities for job seekers throughout Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon and Ottawa counties, including specialized employment services for eligible veterans. To learn more, visit https://www.westmiworks.org/job-seekers/job-search/veterans/.
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